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Turning 40 is what some see as a half-way mark in life. And so its an opportunity to reflect. And as we reflect, its good to journal some thoughts down, just to have a record of where your thoughts were in that season of life. So as I share these thoughts, it will be interesting to reread them 40 years from today. //// Here are some things … Continue reading Reflections on turning 40
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In 2020, there were many individuals who lost something. Some lost loved ones. In fact, 1 in every 1000 Americans died from Covid 19. Loosing a loved one, a spouse, a parent is very painful and life changing. Some lost a job. With forced closures due to Covid 19, many lost their jobs & positions, and some needed to close their businesses for good. In fact, 22 … Continue reading Dealing with loss in 2020
Maybe this was just me, but growing up, I don’t recall hearing much encouragement to donate blood from the community I was a part of, including the Christian community I grew up in. As a teenager, I don’t remember any sermons in which blood donations was promoted & fostered. Somehow it was important, especially when someone needed some blood, but, it was a “task” for … Continue reading Why I donate blood
Every career choice will have its benefits, and its hardships. And though some careers are more stressful than others, every person will face stress at their jobs. From time to time, I reflect on my choice of being in full time ministry, its benefits and its struggles. When asked what is the toughest part of being a pastor, by far, it is learning to balance … Continue reading The Pastor’s Struggle: 4 tough yet important responsibilities
My wife and I took a trip to New York City, to celebrate our 10 years of marriage. It was a trip of a lifetime, as we visited and saw historical sights & buildings, places we’ve only read or studied about. One of our big goals in visiting New York was to visit some of the great churches of New York, and to observe and … Continue reading A Visit to 6 Churches in NYC: including Redeemer Presbyterian, Hillsong NYC, & Times Square Church
In 2016, I want to share more about the books I’m reading. Currently, I’m reading about 6 books at once, but the book “Sticky Teams” by Larry Osborne is really blessing me. I’ve learned that success in ministry is very much related to the people around us, and our ability to work as a team, delegate, work through conflicts and sometimes, even offense. There … Continue reading Book of the month: Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne
Preparing a sermon is a lot of work. For me, 10 to 20 hours on the average, plus the hours of contemplating, praying, & thinking. And, every preacher will agree, some sermons work out well, and some sermons don’t go as planned at all! If there is anything I am most self-critical about, it is my sermons. If I know that the sermon did not … Continue reading 10 Things You Shouldn’t Say to a Pastor Right After the Sermon
Social Media is a tool, almost like a double-edged sword. If used properly, it can help you reach more people effectively. If used wrongly, it can hurt relationships and your influence and reputation. If unused, well, then you need to find other tools to use to reach a greater audience. But, too often, I am finding Social Media to be used in ways that undermine one’s … Continue reading 6 Ways to Undermine Your Leadership On Social Media
The United States is a land of immigrants. If you ask most people, they have some knowledge of their “immigrant” past. Close to 15% of the residents in big cities weren’t born in US; imagine if you take their children and grand children into consideration? Most families, in one way or another, have some connection to immigration. That said, when most immigrants come, they start … Continue reading Slavic Pastors planting English-speaking churches in US
This is a great post written by Dave Harvey, posted here. I wanted to share it with my readers, especially with those who preach or hope to start to preach. If you preach regularly, you know that the moments and hours after preaching a sermon are really unique and can be very dangerous; only a preacher can understand. Preachers, take note. The conclusion of … Continue reading What To Do After You Preach
Recently, Tanya Feygin’s article, “Russian Culture and The Christian Church” went viral in the Slavic Christian community, with close to 4,000 Facebook shares, thousands of views, and a lot of chatter & comments. After reading the article, I countered with a response, posted HERE. Since my first post, Ive had the opportunity to privately connect with Tanya Feygin, and have spent some time reading other … Continue reading An Apology from a Pastor
Recently, Tanya Feygin’s article, “Russian Culture and The Christian Church” went viral in the Slavic Christian community. As I read it, bitter-sweet thoughts filled my mind. And when I was done, only bitterness remained. I am always deeply saddened by any blatant misrepresentation of any Christian community including the Slavic community. I have not met Tanya Feygin, but if I may, would like to answer … Continue reading Response to “Russian Culture and The Christian Church”
The Gospel Coalition recently had a blog by Jason Helopoulos on “20 Ways to be Refreshing in the Local Church.” The content is very relevant to any person and local church, and I wanted to share it with my readers. For full article, go here. There are few epitaphs I would rather have engraved on my tombstone than Paul’s words of commendation to Philemon, “the … Continue reading 20 Ways to be Refreshing in the Local Church
Recently, Thom Rainer, one of my favorite bloggers, wrote this article on Seven Warnings for Church Leaders Who Use Social Media. With Social Media being so prominent in our society, it is great to see it used for good purposes. But often it is misused, and sadly, even by church leaders. Discussions that should take place in private rooms, according to “Matthew 18,” are often now … Continue reading Seven Warnings For Church Leaders Who Use Social Media
Want to do a 6 month “Spiritual Check-up?” Here are 10 great questions to ask yourself, or to have someone ask you, written by Chuck Lawless. Also, are you holding anyone accountable? I double dare to you sit down with them, half-way through 2014, and ask them these questions. Are you reading the Bible daily? If you adopted an annual reading plan at the beginning of … Continue reading 10 Questions for a 6-month Spiritual Check-Up
Steve Fog recently posted a blog, titled, “7 Silly Barriers that Stop Churches from Adopting Social Media.” I believe the content of this blog is relevant, especially for those with very traditional roots. Do people around you use some of these excuses? Im reminded of a “prophecy” in one Slavic church to stop using Social Media, and that God would punish those who don’t. This blog would … Continue reading 8 Silly Reasons that Stop Churches from Starting to Use Social Media
Richard Feloni posted a blog on Inc.com, titled “20 Time-Management Lessons Everyone Should Learn In Their 20’s.” I found the content to be very helpful, and wanted to pass this unto my readers. All of us, whether you are the President, a CEO, a pastor, a stay-at-home mom, a college student or a teenager have the same amount of time. It is not about how … Continue reading 20 Time-Management Tips for People in their 20s
Recently, @pastorboz posted an article on the 10 Things Pastors Hate to Admit Publicly. The article was great, painful, and truthful, and therefore, I wanted to share it with my readers. Please pray for your pastor daily. He needs it. Here are the 10 things: #1. We Take It Personally When You Leave The Church. It’s just a straight up fact. We pastors eat, drink … Continue reading 10 Things Pastors Hate To Admit Publicly
Recently, Chuck Lawless wrote “10 Ideas for Wise Leaders” that I read on Thom Rainier’s blog. These were so great, that I couldn’t resist reposting it for my readers! Great leadership is not about “GREAT BIG IDEAS” but about small things that leaders do everyday. Here are the 10 ideas for wise leaders: Give your family veto power over your schedule. He’s an incredibly busy man, … Continue reading 10 Ideas for Wise Leaders
As I write this blog, I am deeply concerned about an investment scam that has penetrated the Slavic community in our state. Though some are unaware that the company is just that – a scam, many investors have already come to the realization that it is a scam, but, continue to “promote” it, in hopes of at least getting their initial investment returned. Anytime a … Continue reading Are you Knowingly Investing into a Financial Scam or Pyramid Scheme?
I have realized that my family, my future, and my church need me to be healthy. And from my side, if there is anything I can, I ought to, to stay healthy. Therefore, I signed up for a gym membership, and today, I took advantage of the one-hour complimentary workout with a trainer. The only thing that needs to be said about that is they … Continue reading 3 Lessons from a Gym Trainer
Перевод даной статьи на русский язык, зделан благодаря Валерию Борзов. Английский вариант этой статьи здесь. Заметьте #1: Этот пост не против миссионеров , и не против проповедников, посетивших церкви или проповедовавших там. Многие “гости”, это боящиеся Бога братья, призванные Богом, исполняющие Его дело по всему миру. Многие из них действительно нуждаются в финансовой поддержке, относясь к каждому пожертвованию со великой честностью. Заметьте #2: Многие из этих “гостей” стали … Continue reading Призыв Реформировать Постоянной Диеты “Гостей Проповедников” в Славянских Церквях США
DISCLAIMER #1: This post is not against missionaries, nor against any one preacher that has visited or spoke at any Slavic church. Most of these “guest preachers” are people who fear God, are called by God, and are doing the Lord’s work all over the world. Many of them do genuinely need financial assistance, and treat every donation with outmost integrity. DISCLAIMER #2: Many of … Continue reading A Call to Reform a “Culture of Guest Preachers” in the Slavic Church
This is a fantastic article, originally posted at pastors.com here, written by Brian K. Dodd. I think every pastor needs to hear and internalize this. _____________ What are the volunteers serving in your church thinking? What are their hopes, dreams, and needs? During the last 26 years, I have had to privilege of serving on two church staffs but the vast majority of my time has been … Continue reading 10 Things Church Volunteers Wished Their Pastor Knew About Them
Communion is a special time dedicated to remember Lord’s sacrifice. It cannot be done hastily. As a matter of fact, I believe there are 5 directions we need to look, as we approach the table of communion and partake in the bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 11:23-32, 1 Cor 10:16-17). 5 Directions we look during communion: 1. WE LOOK … Continue reading 5 Directions to Look during communion
Recently, Tim Challies posted a great blog on “18 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My Kids.” It got me thinking a lot, especially when I come home, and am tempted to finish a couple more emails and send a couple more text messages that are work related, while the kids are right beside me. My kids are still young (Matthew is 4, Honor is … Continue reading 20 Things I Will Not Regret Doing With My Kids
Far too often, I hear men use the “Bible” and the “role of men” argument to stay completely out of the kitchen and never help their wife with cooking or simply washing the dishes after themselves. The problem with this argument is that, though there are male and females roles in the family, the Bible does not automatically assign the kitchen and cooking duties to … Continue reading Biblical Men Cook!
We are currently in the middle of discussing different world views and religions at City On A Hill Church (North Campus), and we have made a list available of books we recommend, dealing with issues of apologetics. The reality is – 51% of Christian college freshmen will renounce their faith before they graduate from college. When that’s a fact, the church must realize it is not … Continue reading 5 Books We Recommend on Apologetics
This article was originally posted on Dave Ramsey’s website here. We are currently making plans to hold Financial Peace University at City On A Hill, and this is a great article to make us all check our financial habits, and whether we are wasting some of our money that could be spent more wisely. We don’t think much about them. But we need to, because there … Continue reading 10 Things Americans Waste Money On
Titles: Against Calvinism & Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities Author: Roger Olson Topic: Calvinism, Arminianism It is clearly evident that Reformed Theology is in. And not just in Seattle, where Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill call home. Throughout the nation, seminaries, denominations, and the blogosphere is full of the “Young, Restless and Reformed,” willing to stop and correct anyone who does not proclaim the Gospel … Continue reading Book Recommendations on issue of Calvinism/Arminianism: Against Calvinism & Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities
Backstage Conversations 